Looking at the first party titles Nintendo has announced now it seems to me they have a clear release vision (Again, just based off what has been announced). I thought it would be interesting to speculate based on the information we have when exactly we can see some of these titles.

I'm thinking along the same lines, although I expect the Wii U Zelda game to be out Holiday 2014 (perhaps with the 3DS Zelda game? Idk as to where they would fit the 3DS game, unless they want a massive 3DS holiday season this year with Pokemon and Zelda).

lol, they still have to fit in Metroid, Donkey Kong, and Kirby in there somewhere, along with whatever Retro's project is, plus probably a few surprises along with the "Wii Whatever" series and party games. This is just what they've announced.

Pikmin 3 and Wii Fit U are more likely to be April-May, at least in USA/Japan. And Tokyo EAD's Mario is more likely to be released this year, it will be the biggest showcase of the hardware during holiday season. Wii U will be copying 3DS's first Christmas in this regard.

I'm thinking we'll get Mario 3D this year and Mario Kart either right before Christmas or early next.
Mario 3D may keep people from jumping on Durango/Orbis. Mario Kart won't do that despite the fact that it will sell better over its lifetime.

lol, they still have to fit in Metroid, Donkey Kong, and Kirby in there somewhere, along with whatever Retro's project is, plus probably a few surprises along with the "Wii Whatever" series and party games. This is just what they've announced.

Those should be fine for next year. I'm totally satisfied with what they have announced today for this year, that is all I need.

I'd reverse those. Like New Super Mario Bro, Kart is a title that Nintendo can shit out incredibly quickly.

I agree with you... BUT I don't think new Mario 3D is being done quickly.
This is essentially all EAD has been devoting their time too since 3D Land shipped over 14 months ago. And it will be playable at E3.
I will be SHOCKED if we don't get it this fall.

I agree with you... BUT I don't think new Mario 3D is being done quickly.
This is essentially all EAD has been devoting their time too since 3D Land shipped. And it will be playable at E3.
I will be SHOCKED if we don't get it this fall.

I think that Nintendo may wanna save that card for early 2014 a la Mario Kart Wii (unless of course they feel that holiday is more important). I don't think it's development time hindering the release.

And you still think Mario 3D will be out before Kart? I'd say the only way that happens is if its Galaxy 3.

I think they are going to come out around the same time and Galaxy 1 and 2 were made by two separate teams so its not too big of a stretch. The only games that the Galaxy one team have worked on since 2007 are DSiware titles and helping with OoT3D so its entirely possible that they could have it ready and the fact that both are going to be playable in June leads me to believe so.

I disagree. Xenoblade came out in 2010, if it releases in 2014 then that is at least 3.5 years of development, which is more than enough on a game like this. Judging by the trailer the game is also pretty far along. I highly doubt it would show up this year (though would love that surprise) but it seems like a solid game to position as a big holiday release, especially alongside something like Smash Bros.

Originally Posted by UberTag

I'm thinking we'll get Mario 3D this year and Mario Kart either right before Christmas or early next.
Mario 3D may keep people from jumping on Durango/Orbis. Mario Kart won't do that despite the fact that it will sell better over its lifetime.

Apart from that, I'm on board with how you've broken things out.

It could technically go either way, I just think Mario Kart is something they can more easily get out the door, especially since Mario 3D Land is still barely a year old. Both 3D Marios and Mario Karts have released both during holidays and in spring so it could probably go either way. I have to imagine Nintendo has paid attention to complaints of Mario overload though and won't release them at the same time.

I am pretty confident they are expecting Wind Waker Reborn + one of them (imo Mario Kart) to be the big system pushers this Holiday (baring some surprises at E3 of course). Whether they actually will be is another story but from a Nintendo point of view it seems to make sense.

Originally Posted by Fantastical

You're not accounting for Retro's game which I hope to god comes out this year.

It hasn't been officially announced yet, that is why I didn't put it here. If it is shown at E3 then we can assess the state it is in and better judge where it could possibly fall (unlike now when we know nothing). Considering the time since Retro's last release though I wouldn't be surprised to see it as a surprise holiday title for this year, whatever it is.